Indoor Plants

INDOOR HOUSE PLANTS

Capt. S.K.BHANDARI

BENEFITS OF INDOOR PLANTS

Indoor gardening has many benefits:

Indoor plants can brighten a room,

Provide moisture to the dry indoor winter air,

And also supply oxygen during the day.

You don't have to have green thumb to grow indoor plants; there are some low maintenance plants available. Indoor gardening can be an extension of your outdoor gardening, filling in the gardening void experienced in the winter time.

NASA Study on Indoor Plants

If you have some space in your home or office premises, it probably makes lots of sense to grow these plants because research says that there is a 42% probability of increasing blood oxygen by 1% if one stays inside a building housing these plants for 10 hours.

And NASA also suggested that certain houseplants (including Bamboo Palm and Snake Plant) can remove as much as 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours.

SOIL SLECTION         

Soil is very important.
Buy a good potting soil that has been formulated for the type of plants you choose
If you reuse your potting pots, make sure your thoroughly wash them before using them for the next plant.
This avoids the spread of disease and fungus.

SELECTION OF POTS

There are many different plant pots to choose from.
Choose pots that reflect your decorating style. If you can't find the perfect pot you can always make your own or improvise.

As long as the object you choose can hold water and soil and has drainage holes, it will work.

Drainage holes are important as plants do not thrive if they get "wet feet".

POT STAND SELECTION

Choose plant stands that blend with your decor.
Plant stands allow you to display your plants on stunning pedestals.

There are many different types of plant stands to choose from. They can be made of finished wood, metal, or wicker.

They can be simple or artistically designed.

They come in different shapes and sizes. Find plant stands that match your interior home style.

 PLANT SELECTION

Growing plants indoors doesn't mean you have to have a green thumb.
Follow the growing instructions of the plant as directed.
Buy a good indoor plant book or search plant information online.
There are many different types of indoor plants to choose from.

IMPORTANT INDOOR PLANTS
Some of the best indoor plants perform well under low light, warm temperature and other artificial growing conditions.

The list includes philodendrons, poinsettias, ferns, mother-in-law's tongue, peace lilies and snapdragons amongst others.

 Philodendrons

One of the best indoor plants for air purification, philodendron is available in different types, which differ in their foliage shape. There are over 100 plants in this family.

According to a study, philodendrons are excellent for formaldehyde removal from air that is commonly released by cigarette smoke and adhesives. However, remember that these leafy plants are poisonous and, care should be taken while handling them.

 Poinsettias

Poinsettias remain the most sought after houseplant all over the globe.

They are good indoor plants to grow at home and in office.

You can find poinsettia plants of white, pink, orange, red, speckled and may other varieties. The bracts are showy and colorful; while the blooms are yellow colored and inconspicuous.

 Ferns

If you have less time to nurture your indoor plants, ornamental fern varieties are for you.

 The care level is easy and it requires less effort for maintenance.

In case you are allergic to pollens, place these plants at ground level.

This will help in reducing dispersal of spores and spreading of the same inside the room.

 Peace Lilies

The peace lilies are the, most preferred.

They require warm temperature, high humidity level and shade condition for optimal growth.

The flowers are white and their shape is almost similar to anthurium.

The foliage is bright green and large, thus adding to the aesthetic value of the room, even in the non-blooming season.

 Lady Palm

Lady palm is a must have ornamental plant for indoor gardening.

The most spectacular part with this small palm tree is the fan-shaped leaves.

It is slow growing and long-lasting.

What's more, the lady palm can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, temperatures and humidity levels.

 Mother-in-law's Tongue

The name is coined with reference to the sharp tip of the leaves.

It performs well, even when exposed to low light conditions for an extended period.

The mother-in-law's tongue plant is extremely sturdy, with regards to moisture level.

During summer, watering once a month is sufficient for healthy growing.

Unlike most plants which release Carbon-dioxide at night, does the reverse as it converts CO2 into Oxygen at night.

 Zebra Plant

Zebra plant is a plant which is a succulent that typically grows as an evergreen plant throughout the year.

] Normally reaches to a mature height of 5.85 inches (or 15.0 cm). This plant tends to bloom in mid spring.

Zebra plant is normally fairly low maintenance and is normally quite easy to grow, as long as a level of basic care is provided throughout the year.

Ficus

The elegant Weeping Fig is the most popular of all the ficus species...

Weeping figs adapt best when placed in bright, indirect light and left there. It is known to drop its leaves when moved around. However, with good care it will grow new leaves in spring and summer.

Small, waxy leaves densely cover its drooping branches, giving it graceful elegance. Growers sometimes braid its trunks, adding to its charm.

 Ponytail palm

 

This plant is easy to grow and drought-tolerant. Its swollen base stores water, so occasional lack of water will do no harm.

At the top of its trunk, long, narrow green leaves grow in a cluster, curving downward like a pony's tail.

Spider Plant

 

Spider Plant is an impressive house plant for beginners. It's easy to care for, tolerates average room conditions, and is easy to propagate.

The slender, arching leaves are dark green with a creamy white stripe. Give this plant plenty of light for the best leaf color

When less than a year old, the plant produces small, white flowers on the tips of wiry, upright stems, called runners.

Aluminum

 

Showy, silver-splashed leaves make Aluminum Plant a stunning and popular house plant. It's easy to grow, too, as long as you can meet its need for humidity.

Tiny, light-colored flowers sometimes appear in summer. Don't be afraid to pinch them off.

Its ovate green leaves are about 3 in (8 cm) long. Silvery streaks mark each leaf, adding a dramatic metallic design to its quilted texture.

These unusual patterns give this plant another common name, watermelon plant.

 Arrowhead Plant

 

 

As a young plant, its leaves start out heart-shaped, and then gradually become arrowhead shaped as it matures. Its dark-green leaves have silvery white or cream variegation, making this a decorative and popular house plant.

Display arrowhead plant alongside a group of other foliage plants or add it to a dish garden.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

 

This attractive and popular house plant features a single, thick trunk that unwinds into several trunks as it matures.

Its handsome, broad leaves are about 10 inches (25 cm) long and are splashed, streaked or speckled in green and white.

Dumb Cane gets its name from its poisonous sap that causes painful swelling of the mouth and throat, as well as vocal loss if eaten. It also can cause skin irritation, so I recommend wearing gloves while handling this plant.

Elephant's Ear

 

This tropical house plant can be somewhat fussy, preferring the high humidity of a greenhouse to an average home.

However, a room humidifier and frequent misting of the leaves will give it the moist air it craves.

Lucky Bamboo

This striking bamboo plant has a slender, upright stem and graceful, arching green leaves that taper to a point. Its roots are red -- so don't worry if you see red roots in the vase. This is normal for a healthy plant.

It's not really a bamboo. This member of the Dracaena family has been around a long time, but has become a favorite of feng shui enthusiasts because it is believed to enhance chi energy and bring good luck.